Sewing Cafe opens

FANCY getting creative over coffee? Ministry of Craft – a team of craft course teachers based at Fred Aldous in the Northern Quarter – has gone all French on us with their new Sewing Cafe.

The machines can be hired for a one hour session, which will include free tea and coffee, access to the latest craft books and magazines and free use of a sewing machine bobbin.

The idea of sewing cafés originated in Paris and is a similar concept to internet cafes, only with thread instead of the web. The idea is to take the ‘make do and mend’ mentality and make it modern by combining it with cafe culture.

Customers will be able to visit the new Sewing Cafe in Fred Aldous and use one of their  top of the range Janome sewing machines - which will be available to rent by the hour from May.

Creative Director of Janome, Deborah Shepherd said: ‘Janome is delighted that Ministry of Craft are opening Manchester’s first Sewing Cafe. We are proud to be associated with Sam Sterken and her team of experts who are providing a fabulous opportunity for customers to experience hands-on sewing in a supported environment.’

The machines can be hired for a one hour session, which will include free tea and coffee, access to the latest craft books and magazines and free use of a sewing machine bobbin. A course assistant will be available to help with any problems, but users must already be confident in threading a machine, filling a bobbin and sewing stitches. 

The machines will be available for use at £6 per hour in the Ministry of Craft classrooms at Fred Aldous, Art Craft & Design Supplies in the Northern Quarter, every Saturday from 14 May. Space is limited so you can pre-book by going to www.ministryofcraft.co.uk.